What is a Routine Eye Exam?

Young healthy people without a personal or family history of eye problems should schedule routine eye exams every two or three years. As we age we become more at risk for many common eye and medical diseases; therefore, having an annual eye exam is very important. For people who already wear glasses and contacts a yearly exam is especially important. Most contact lens and eye glass prescriptions that are more than one year old are considered expired and will not be filled without an exam.

People with diabetes or a family history of eye disease should have their eyes examined at least once a year. Diabetes in particular can lead to very serious eye complications. Certain professions require eye exams - pilots and military personnel, among others.

Diagnosis of eye disorders is initially based on the symptoms that a person is experiencing, the appearance of the eyes, and the results of an examination. It is important to know that certain eye diseases do not have symptoms. That is why seeing your eye doctor regularly is crucial.

Difference between a Routine Eye Exam and a Medical Eye Exam?

The type of eye exam you have is determined by the reason for your visit or your chief complaint, as well as your diagnosis. Routine vision exams usually produce final diagnoses such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, while medical eye exams produce diagnoses such as "glaucoma." Most insurance companies focus on the reason for your visit.

Routine Eye Examinations: A “routine eye exam” takes place when you come in for an eye examination without any medical eye problem, and your eyes are examined for any needed correction and any potential indicators of eye disease.

Medical Eye Examinations: A “medical eye examination” is the examination, treatment, and management of an eye condition or disease such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and many other potentially sight-threatening diseases or injuries. These exams are treated like any other medical exam and can be filed with your insurance carrier. The way your eye exam is submitted to your insurance carrier will depend not only upon what you tell the doctor, but also what the doctor finds upon examination.

Please remember, there are vision plans that do not cover medical exams and medical plans that do not cover routine eye care. It is also important to note that routine or medical exams at Thomas Eye Group will also contain a refraction. This is typically not a covered part of the exam. Be sure to check with your insurance company to determine coverage.

The available services at Thomas Eye Group range from comprehensive eye exams to specialty services in LASIK, retinal and corneal disorders, glaucoma, and plastic surgery. To correct vision problems, our doctors are trained in the most current refractive surgery techniques. We also offer contact lenses and glasses to those who prefer a traditional solution.

At Thomas Eye Group, we offer comprehensive eye care to children—specialty care especially for kids! As the largest pediatric eye care practice in the Southeast; we offer a complete scope of preventive and corrective eye care for children. From the detection and treatment of eye disorders to eye surgery, we also treat disorders of eye alignment in adults including double vision..

"To say that I am pleased with the outcome of my surgery is an understatement. What a difference this surgery has made in my life! It is so great to be able to read street signs - even the green ones - at night. Thank you so much!"- Sally Stebbins

"Everyone the North Fulton office of Thomas Eye Group is so helpful. They feel like a part of my family now!"
- Paige Morris

At Thomas Eye Group Atlanta, our board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists have decades of combined experience in eye care. We work together as a team to bring you specialized, state-of-the-art care from caring professionals.

Our team of doctors is comprised of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and skilled support staff. Within our group of ophthalmologists, we have several sub-specialists, including LASIK, glaucoma, retina, and plastic surgery or Oculoplastics. At six locations throughout the greater Atlanta area, our group provides services ranging from comprehensive eye examinations and contact lens care to sophisticated microsurgery for cataracts, cornea and retinal disease, and refractive surgery, including LASIK.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. If you are seeking LASIK in Atlanta, Georgia you have come to the right place. Thomas Eye Group has locations in Atlanta and the surrounding areas to make LASIK eye surgery and cataract surgery more convenient. Our Atlanta LASIK and cataract surgery doctors are dedicated to creating the best possible eye surgery outcomes. We are here for you! We are your Atlanta LASIK & cataract surgery specialists. Thomas eye is dedicated to providing affordable LASIK in Atlanta starting with a complimentary LASIK eye surgery consultation. If the LASIK price in Atlanta is a concern for you, please call one of our LASIK counselors today and they can help create a LASIK plan that will work for you. Your source for quality LASIK in Atlanta! If you are not a LASIK eye surgery candidate our qualified Atlanta Ophthalmologists will suggest vision correction alternatives to set you on a path to visual freedom.